Official Austin 7th Grade FBU National Championship Preview
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Get Familiar: This squad has gone through some different identities in year’s past, whether it be Central Texas or Austin. However, what alludes them is a national championship. Not to mention, they haven’t been a guest at championship week since…
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Continue ReadingGet Familiar: This squad has gone through some different identities in year’s past, whether it be Central Texas or Austin. However, what alludes them is a national championship. Not to mention, they haven’t been a guest at championship week since the inaugural year of 2011. Everybody knows football is king in Texas; However, this bracket has been traditionally dominated by Dallas, with a few shining moments for Houston. Under new leadership, this program seems to be on the right track in order to get the best talent from the heart of this state. It remains to be seen just how successful they’ll be in 2021, but I stand by the notion that they have this machine going in the right direction going forward.
How they’ll light it up: Look for this Austin team to come out in a spread and really utilize their offensive weapons on the outside. They feel very confident in the ability of their wide receiver group and think they have dudes who cover every aspect of the passing game (short, intermediate and deep). They think they’ll be winning most 50/50 balls on the outside and want to strike with big plays. With that said, they’re not going to be afraid to sprinkle in some two tight end sets in short yardage and goal line situations.
How they’ll shut it down: Defensively, expect them to come out in a 4-2-5 defense to highlight what they have on the back end of their defense. Austin feels like they have a bunch of hybrid outside linebackers and defensive backs who are long and can run around a little bit. Upfront and in the box, coaches stressed that defensive line is going to be the catalyst for success. They said that if the line can cause distress and their middle linebackers can blitz and play some old school football, the secondary is going to be able to do its job flawlessly.
Mt. Rushmore
Malik McKnight | Running Back
McKnight is an athletic back that Austin will count on to do a little bit of everything. While coaches talked about his a quiet, all-business type of kid—what he does on the field speaks volumes. McKnight is a speed back that every team in the tournament wants to have. He’s lightning quick and has very reliable ball skills. Could probably play in the slot if the team needed him to, as well.
Cayden Logan | Defensive Line
At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds Logan is a versatile defensive lineman that will give Austin some flexibility along the defensive front. Coaches plan to move him around from the edge to the interior, to create favorable matchups for the impressive big man. For a defensive lineman, he has the crucial first step quickness that allows him to control the battle at the line of scrimmage from the snap. Also possesses a high motor that doesn’t stop until the whistle.
J’Kurtis Bell | Athlete
Just a special individual when it comes to performing on the football field. We’ve listed the 5-foot-7, 175 pounder as an athlete because he could play a number of different positions including quarterback and running back on offense and linebacker on defense. For this team, expect to see Bell lined up as an outside linebacker fairly often as he has the power to play against the run but also the athleticism to match up with receivers and backs in the slot.
Audric Williams | Wide Receiver
Williams is the type of athlete that any coach in America would welcome with open arms. Coaches praised his intangibles as a young man—both athletically and beyond. He’s a yes sir, no sir type of athlete that has been uncoverable during practices. At around 5-foot-11 he is a tall, rangy receiver with a catch radius that could make any quarterback look accurate by throwing in his direction. Expect him to be the focus of the downfield passing attack.
Defensive Ballers to Know
- Jalen DeWees | Defensive End
- Major Bettridge | Defensive Tackle
- Avion Lucas | Linebacker
- Zyion Street | Defensive Back
Offensive Ballers to know
- Kamren Nasserfar | Offensive Line
- De’Mani Dail-Addison De’Mani Dail-Addison 5'11" | 145 lbs | QB Audie Murphy Middle School | 2028 TX | Athlete
- Marneko Thomas | Wide Receiver
- Keith Marshall III | Offensive Line
- Dallas Petaia | Offensive Line